1862 April 14 Lynchburg, Va.

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat and editor, bank officer, with five sons in the Confederate Army]

Monday 14 Rain at intervals du
-ring the day. No news--we may
expect momentarily intelligence every
hour. A battle on the Peninsula
is at hand--and another great
and decisive fight at or near
Corinth. it is a time when the
boldest may "hold his breath for
a time"--So awful are[?] the issues
depending. I am very
sanguine, I confess, of a defeat
of the enemy at both places--I think
our troops have made up their
mind not to be beaten--I learn
that Rodes' brigade had assigned
to it a post of honor at or near
Yorktown--I feel deep anxiety on
Eugene's account. William now
is on the Peninsula also Lewis
in Norfolk. & Charles will proba-
bly be ordered there. Several letters
from William. though not of recent
date they are very interesting--as they
give his personal adventures in recon
-noitering & skirmishing and taking Prison
-ers some of the details are very amu
-sing--William has seen much active
service & his won a high reputation
for activity & gallantry. He says he is
mentioned in late dispatches by Gen
Stuart & Col. Jones in flattering terms
He must have done something hand
-some to extract commendation from
Jones, who is not friendly to him
-solely because he is under weighty
obligations to William I wish these
reports could be published. Wm says
there is no doubt of his re-election
& he thinks he stands a fair chance
of being made a field officer.
Charles & Sue dined with us-also
Dr. Houston, who now boards at
Charles. I asked Dr. Green also
who declined--but came & spent
the evening. I find him a very in
teresting man--Letter from Mary D.
also. The constant excitement
I am in tells me upon me. It
renders attention to business very
difficult.

MSS 4763